Game system and method of playing

ABSTRACT

A game of skill uses an upright frame with transverse target bars and a plurality of projectiles adapted to be thrown by opposing players towards the target bars. The projectiles have weighted members connected by a flexible securing member. A score is registered when the securing member fo the projectile becomes entangled on one of the target bars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game of skill involving throwing game pieces and the method of playing. Outdoor games, especially involving the throwing skills are always popular with children and adults alike. Some of the outdoor games involving throwing disks, rings, balls, horseshoes and the like require skills, good hand-and-eye coordination, as well as certain dexterity in order to win the game. One of the benefits of such games is that a number of people, regardless of age, can play the game, while the game itself does not require expensive equipment or a large space.

The present invention contemplates provision of a game system and method of playing that involves a goal in the form of a frame and object thrown towards the goal in a game of skill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a game system using throwing skills of one or more players.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a throwing game and a goal thereof that provides for the use of an upright frame that can be easily erected and disassembled by the players and transported to the playing location.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a game system that comprises an upright frame with a number of transverse target bars. The system further comprises a plurality of projectiles formed as weighted members connected by a flexible securing member. When a projectile is thrown by a player, a score point is recognized once the projectile's flexible securing member gets entangled on one of the target bars. The first player or a team of player, who reach a pre-determined number of points in the game, is declared a winner of that game set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game goal of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a projectile member that is used by a player when playing the game of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a player tossing one of the projectiles towards the game goal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings in more detail, a collapsible goal 10 for a game system of the present invention is shown. The goal is used as a target for projectile members 12, which are tossed by a player 100.

The goal 10 comprises an upright frame 14, which has a pair of base members 16 and 18 adapted to rest on a support surface, for instance on the ground, pavement, lawn and the like. The base members 16 and 18 support the upright portion of the frame 14 in a stable manner. Centrally located on each base member 16 and 18 is a sleeve 20, 22, respectively. Each sleeve 20 and 26 has a T-shaped configuration, having horizontally extending open-end portion and a vertically extending open-end portion. A first upright member 24 is telescopically detachably engaged within the vertically-extending portion of the sleeve 20. A second upright member 26 is telescopically detachably engaged within the vertically extending portion of the sleeve 22.

A lower transverse target bar 28 extends between the first upright member 24 and the second upright member 26. Upper ends of the first upright member 24 and the second upright member 26 are detachably engaged within vertically extending portions of T-shaped connectors 30, 32 respectively. The lower transverse bar 28 is telescopically detachably engaged within horizontally extending portions of the T-shaped connectors 30, 32.

A third upright member 34 extends upwardly in a generally co-axial relationship to the first upright member 24. The third upright member 34 telescopically detachably engages an open end of the vertically extending portion of the connector member 30. The fourth upright member 36 extends upwardly in a general co-axial alignment with the second upright member 26, while telescopically detachably engaging within the vertically extending open end of the connector member 32. Upper ends of the third and the fourth upright members 34, 36 are telescopically detachably engaged in vertically extending open ends of connector members 40, 42, respectively.

A second, intermediate transverse target bar 38 extends in a substantially parallel relationship to the lower transverse bar 28. The second transverse target bar 38 is telescopically detachably engaged within corresponding connector members 40 and 42. The connector members 40 and 42 form a T-shaped connector suitable for receiving the third and fourth upright members 34, 36, respectively.

A fifth upright member 44 extends upwardly in a substantially co-axial alignment with the first upright member 24 and the third upright member 34. The fifth upright member 44 is telescopically detachably engaged within the vertically upwardly extending open end of the T-shaped connector 40. A sixth upright member 46 is telescopically detachably engaged within the upwardly extending open end of the T-shaped connector member 42. The sixth upright member 46 extends vertically in a substantial vertical co-axial alignment with the second upright member 26 and the fourth upright member 36.

Upper ends of the upright members 44 and 46 are detachably engaged within elbow-shaped connector members 50 and 52, respectively. An upper transverse bar 48 extends between the connector members 50 and 52 in a transverse relationship to the upright members 44, 46 and in a substantial parallel relationship to the lower transverse bar 28 and the intermediate transverse bar 38. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the frame 14 can be easily assembled and disassembled since the upright members 24, 26, 34, 36, 44, and 46 are detachably engaged within the connector members 30, 32, 40, 42, 50, and 52. Similarly, the transverse bars 28, 38, and 48 are detachably engaged within the connector members 30, 32, 40, 42, 50, and 52.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the projectile member 12 is shown comprising a pair of weighted members or weights 60 and 62, which are secured together by a flexible securing member 64. The securing member 64 is preferably formed from a non-stretchable flexible material, such that a fixed distance is retained between the weight members 60 and 62. The weight members 60, 62 may be round balls, square weights, or have any other desired configuration. The weight members 60 and 62 of the projectiles 12 facilitate movement of the projectile member 12 through the air towards the goal 10 when thrown by the player. If desired, the weight members 60 and 62 can be sized and weighted such that more or less force is required for throwing the projectiles 12 towards the goal 10. The system of the present invention provides for two or more projectile members 12 to be used in the game for each player.

To play the game, the player or two players divide the projectile members into equal number of units. For instance, one player may be given three projectile members 12 and another player may be given a set of three projectile members 12, as well. If desired, the projectile members 12 can have the weight members 60 and 62 of different colors so as to easily distinguish the game pieces when tossed towards the goal 10. In one of the preferred embodiments, there are two game goals 10 and six projectile members 12.

Two frames 14 are placed about 30 feet apart. Each player takes three projectile members 12. The players may flip a coin to determine the order of play if desired. The players stand behind an opposing goal 10. The first player grabs the projectile member 12 and throws it towards the distant goal 10. The weights 60 and 62 help propel the projectile member 12 towards the goal. The players then alternate until all six projectiles 12 have been thrown. A score is registered when one of the flexible securing member 64 of the projectile 12 entangles itself, or wraps itself around one of the target bars.

Points are awarded for each projectile 12 that becomes suspended on the target bars. If the flexible securing member 64 wraps itself around the lower target bar 28, the player is awarded one point. If the flexible member 64 wraps itself around the middle or intermediate target bar 38, the player receives two points. When the flexible member 64 thrown by a player wraps itself around the upper target bar 48, the player receives three points. A projectile that is not suspended on one of the target bars receives no point. The projectile member 12 remains suspended on the frame 14 until a set of the game is completed.

The players may designate a certain number of points, which would constitute the winning numbers, for instance 11 or 21. Once a particular player or a team of player reaches this number, the game is over and may be started anew with a new point count. If desired, each team or each player may be provided with several goals 10 for throwing the projectile members 12. In order to win, the player or a team must be ahead by at least two points at the end of the round.

The goal 10 comprising the upright frame 14 can be manufactured from any lightweight material, for instance PVC pipes, aluminum, and other non-corrosive material that can be easily used outdoors without the danger of rust or deterioration. Of course, other materials can be used for providing the goal 10, depending on the manufacturing preferences. If desired, the game goal 10 can be formed with some of the upright members and the connector members pre-assembled to expedite erecting of the goal 10 on site.

It is envisioned that one of the possible embodiments may include the base members 16 and 18 being about two feet long, with the upright members 24, 26, 34, 36, 44, 46 having about twelve inches in length and spaced equidistantly from each other. The length of the transverse bars 28, 38, and 48 can be twenty inches, while the length of the securing member 64 can be 16 inches as well. The securing member 64 may be formed from a nylon rope or any other suitable, flexible non-stretchable material. The above dimensions are given for illustration purposes only and other sizes of the game goal 10 and the projectiles 12 can certainly be employed.

Many changes and modifications can be made in the system and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A game system for a plurality of players, the game system comprising: a game goal adapted for being positioned on a support surface and for extending upright therefrom, said game goal comprising a plurality of target bars; a plurality of projectile members adapted to be thrown by the players and engage one of said plurality of target bars, whereby a score is registered when one or more projectile members becomes suspended on one of said plurality of target bars.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of projectile members comprises a pair of weight portions secured together by a flexible securing member capable of engaging one of the target bars when contacting said target bar.
 3. The game system of claim 1, wherein said game goal comprises a frame having a pair of upright members and a plurality of transverse target bars vertically spaced from each other, and whereby highest score is registered by a player throwing the projectile members such that the projectile members become suspended on the top target transverse bar.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein said game goal comprises two or more target bars extending in a substantially parallel relationship to each other.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein said target goal comprises a base portion to provide support for said upright members when positioned on a support surface.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein each of said upright members is comprised of a plurality of detachable upright portions.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of connector members for telescopically engaging said upright portions and said target bars.
 8. An apparatus for playing a game between opposing teams of equal numbers of players, comprising: at least one game goal, each game goal comprising a pair of upright members and a plurality of transverse target bars spaced between the upright members and vertically spaced between each other; a plurality of hand-tossed projectiles adapted to be thrown by members of the opposing teams for engagement with the target bars, whereby an increasing score is registered for the team players as the projectile members become caught on the target bars.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the projectile members comprises a pair of weighted portions secured together by a flexible securing member, and wherein the weighted portions facilitate movement of the projectile members when tossed by the team players.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of said upright members comprises a plurality of vertically extending portions engageable within respective connector members, and wherein the lowermost of the upright member portions are engaged in base members adapted for resting on a support surface.
 11. In a method of playing a game between teams having equal numbers of players, wherein play includes: providing a game goal adapted for being positioned on a support surface and for extending upright therefrom, said game goal comprising a plurality of target bars; providing a plurality of projectile members adapted to be thrown by the players, each of said projectile members comprising a pair of weighted portions secured by a flexible securing member; requiring each team player to throw one projectile member at a time toward the game goal; registering a score when one or more of the projectile members become suspended on the target bars; and winning of the game by one of the teams after a pre-determined number of the projectile members becomes suspended on the target bars.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein winning of the game is recognized when the registered score of one team exceeds the registered score of another team by at least two point.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said game goal comprises three target bars, wherein a lowest registered score is awarded for having the projectile members engage the lowermost target bar, and the highest score in awarded for having the projectile members engage the uppermost target bar.
 14. The method of claim 13, comprising the steps of: scoring three points for a projectile, which becomes suspended on the uppermost target bar; scoring two points for a projectile, which becomes suspended on a middle target bar; and scoring one point for a projectile, which becomes suspended on the lowermost target bar.
 15. A portable game system, comprising: a frame having components of two upright members supported by a pair of base members on a support surface, two or more vertically spaced target bars extending transversely between the upright members; one or more hand-held projectiles adapted to be tossed towards the target bars, each projectile comprising a pair of weighted members secured by a flexible securing members; and whereby a score is registered when the flexible member becomes entangled on one of said target bars.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said weighted members are ball-shaped.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein said frame is collapsible, allowing disengagement of said upright members, base members and the target bars. 